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Life is challenging. It’s not always simple, explained, fair or honest. The human spirit is an amazing thing though. It rejuvenates, restores and reboots when we least expect it. Our experiences past and present set our course. Although sometimes it is difficult to deviate from the emotions that come along for the ride; believe that everything is happening for a reason.

I recently left my dream job. It had been 8 years of ups, downs and throughs but it was time to move on. I felt shattered, scared and insecure. I wasn’t used to idle time or having nothing to fix, sell or market. It was a hard time for me personally. I thought how am I going to survive in this job market? How are we going to afford our life on one salary? Where should I go from here? Why didn’t I choose a different industry when I was fresh out of college, unjaded and entry-level? (I could keep going but I digress)

The point of this is to tell you, FIRSTHAND, there is a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. It doesn’t matter what your struggle is. Health, weight, broken hearts, friendships undone, unemployment or career changes, child stress, aging, loss or divorce; the solution is the same. Time. Self Belief. Positive Thinking (hard but important). Forgiveness.

I don’t have my new profession secured yet but I am on the verge. There are opportunities out there. You just have to be motivated enough to find them. For me, the unknown has become exciting instead of daunting. I am refreshed, inspired and renewed both creatively and personally. I have been able to take stock of what I DO have and who I get to share my life experiences with. I realize I am a millionaire in the people I call family and friends. We all are when we take the time to recognize it.

“I don’t know nothing except change will comeYear after year what we do is undoneTime keeps moving from a crawl to a runI wonder if we’re gonna ever get home

You’re out there walking down a highwayAnd all of the signs got blown awaySometimes you wonder if you’re walking in the wrong direction

But if you break downI’ll drive out and find youIf you forget my loveI’ll try to remind youAnd stay by you when it don’t come easy”

Luella says…Advice Collected, now Shared

(Please note, I am 31 years old. This is advice I have been given, seen the fruits of or used myself. I am not an expert and this advice is NOT ground breaking. It has been out there for a long time, I am merely paying it forward.)

1. Job Searching guidelines.

Linkedin.com –Update and perfect yourprofile. Connect with as many colleagues as you can. Ask for recommendations, join industry groups and try to add some of the application plug-ins available for you.

Twitter – Join and start following major industry leaders. If you respect someone, see who they are following and do the same. Follow@tweetmyjobs for a HUGE database of relevant job opportunities that are listed in real time. Follow@tweetmyresume and ReTweet your information every 24 hours. Follow your industry job listing boards ie: @stylecareers, Follow@Keppie_Careers, @Betterjobsearch, @susanireland, @simplyhired and @jobfox for great articles relating to jobs, interviewing, salary negotiations and resumes.

Tell everyone. The majority of jobs are placed through Who you Know. I am not great at asking for help. Don’t be like me, do it anyway. You will be amazed at the amount of people who would LOVE to help you. Karma comes round circle.

Remember and repeat to yourself that a job is a just a job, it doesn’t define you as a person. It is just an addition to who you already are.

Research recruiters and have more than one working for you. Have faith in them but keep working independently as well.

Teach yourself a skill in your time off. I am learning Photoshop and launched this blog. It is helping me market myself beyond my resume.

If you are in college or entry-level, don’t shrug off internships. Lauren Berger, Founder and CEO of Intern Queen is the resource to look into. You can also Follow her on Twitter at @InternQueen

2. Health guidelines

Always get a second opinion and seek out the right Doctor for YOU. Bedside manner and gut feeling are HUGELY important.

Check your insurance to see if it covers things such as Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, Counseling, Acupuncture etc. If it does, take advantage of it.

If you are injured and recovering follow through with your Physical Therapy. There really is a right way to heal, we don’t stay 23 forever.

Go to the Dentist. Floss, you would be shocked at the amount of normal diseases that could be prevented if you flossed your teeth.

Excercise. You have the power, prove it.

3. Love/Relationship/Friendship guidelines

After a break-up, don’t lament and only remember the good things. Live in the dislike category for a while. It helps you get a solid footing in which to move on from.

Cut your hair, rearrange your bedroom and start exercising. (you should be anyway, but it will make you feel beautiful)

If you are single go evenwhen you don’t feel like it. Changing up your schedule can bring the unexpected person into your life. (I met my husband at a bowling alley. If you know me, this is shocking but I went anyway.)

Sometimes friendships have to take a time out. If they are worthy of the lifelong stamp, they will come back to be.

As the book says, be aware of the He/She is JUST not into me clause. It has happened to all of us.

Be rightful in knowing, relationships of any kind are a compromise. You can’t do all the work. It will eventually lead to disappointment.

The energy and positivity you put out, is what will come back to you.

Ladies don’t be afraid to make the first move. (I bit my pride problem and emailed my husband the next day after meeting him. Try it, trust me).

Realize fighting in some ways, is communication. Make sure to listen and be heard at the same time. It is an acquired skill, practice.

The take away is this. Whatever it is you are struggling with remember it is temporary. This was hard for me to hear when I needed to but it does prove itself ten fold.

Uncertainty = bliss? I think so, the only way through it is through it.

6 Responses to “Uncertainty is the New Black.”

Helpful post. Going to send to my daughter for both the job information (she is in her 2nd year of law school and will be facing this soon) and for the relationship advice, fairly newly single again. It’s always good to be reminded of good advice.